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Shousha T.1,2, Ayad K.2, Balabaa A.3
1University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy Dept., Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 2Cairo University, Faculty of Physical Therapy, PT Dept. for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Giza, Egypt, 3Cairo University, Faculty of Physical Therapy, PT Sept. for Musculoskeletal Sisorders and its Surgery, Giza, Egypt
Background: Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS) is the primary cause of lateral knee pain in runners and accounts for nearly 22% of all running injuries. Although kinesio tape (KT) has been theorized to be an effective treatment to restore muscle function and decrease pain and despite of being widely used in the athletic field the efficacy and scientific evidence to support its use and effects is still being established. Still, there remains a need for clinical trials, in order to provide empirical evidence to support its reported clinical efficacy.
On the other hand, Physiotherapy treatment of ITBFS is mostly based on considering the mechanics around the ankle joint rather than around the hip for treatment.
On the other hand, Physiotherapy treatment of ITBFS is mostly based on considering the mechanics around the ankle joint rather than around the hip for treatment.
Purpose: Purpose of the study: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of KT and Gluteus Medius Strengthening in treatment of ITBFS as well as to identify a definite relationship between hip abductor weakness and ITBFS.
Methods: Fifty patients participated in this study, age ranged from 18 to 30 years with a mean (21.74 ± 2.24) year free from any hip and ankle injuries or defects. Subjects were assigned randomly into two groups;
Group (I): KT group,
Group (II): Exercise group.
Pain, lower limb functional performance and isokinetic hip concentric, eccentric, peak torques of the hip abductors and adductors at 30°/s were measured pre-treatment and 6weeks post treatment
Data was collected using using the visual analogue scale (VAS), single leg-hopping tests {single hop for distance (SHD), triple hop for distance (THD), cross over hop (CHD), timed hop (TH)}, and the Biodex system 3 isokinetic dynamometer.
Results: Post treatment, the KT increased the SLH significantly, decreased the TH and VAS, while the exercise group significantly increased the SHD, CHD, THD, concentric and eccentric abductor/adductor ratios meanwhile, significantly decreased the TH and VAS. Comparing both groups revealed significant improvement in all variables in favor of the exercise group.
Conclusion(s): Management strategies including hip abductor strengthening appeared to be more beneficial in the treatment of ITBFS when compared to KT in decreasing pain intensity, improving lower limb functional performance and hip abductor /adductor ratios during hip concentric and eccentric contraction.
Implications: Emphasizing the importance of the Gluteus Medius strength in cases of ITBFS is very much important. Therapists especially dealing with sports must consider evaluation of the Hip abductors as a possible cause of the syndrome. This would help time and effort for both therapists and patients. On the other hand, using the Biodex system in our study supports the fact that KT does not improve motor recruitment. The efficacy of KT still needs more evidence based practice.
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Sport & sports injuries
Ethics approval: This study was approved by the Post graduate and Research committee, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
